Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign 2002-2003

Guidelines for

Area Coordinator’s Presentation to a Rotary Club 

It is suggested that the Area Coordinator’s presentation, including the six-minute video, take about 15 to 20 minutes, affording time for questions.  Tailor your presentation to each club.  Recognize the contributions of those clubs that participated in the PolioPlus campaign.  Since that Campaign of 1986-88, one-third of all Rotary clubs and 50% or more of Rotarians—including all women members— are new to Rotary.  When necessary, describe the disease of polio; most Rotarians under 40 years of age in developed countries have limited knowledge of the devastating effect of polio on communities when polio outbreaks closed schools, swimming pools, churches, and social gatherings. 

Useful to the Area Coordinator’s presentations are the following tools: 

1. Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign Club SUCCESS Kit. 

2. Video: “Fulfilling Our Promise: Eradicate Polio.” This 6-minute video is designed to support the Area Coordinator’s presentation to the club.  Its purpose is

a) to instill Rotarians’ pride in their contribution to polio eradication progress,

b) to increase their resolve to finish the job;

c) to demonstrate that our financial contributions are vastly multiplied by the value of volunteer work by Rotarians who mobilize parents and immunize kids

3. Frequently Asked Questions provides information about polio and the eradication program.  Use it to respond to questions during your club visit.  

Talking Points for Area Coordinator’s Presentation to a Rotary Club 

History. Rotary’s first polio immunization project was conducted in 1979 in the Philippines.  In 1985,

Rotary announced its PolioPlus program, and set a goal of $120 million to provide oral polio vaccine to 100 million newborns for five years.  Rotarians raised $247 million.  By 1988, progress against polio was so spectacular that the World Health Assembly unanimously resolved to eradicate this disease, thus launching the WHO Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), the largest public health program in history. 

Status of Polio Eradication. Since 1988, the number of countries where polio is endemic has decreased to 10 from 125.  Polio cases have fallen by more than 99%, from an estimated 350,000 cases to fewer than 1,000.  The Americas and the Western Pacific (including China) regions have been certified free of wild poliovirus.  Europe (51 countries) is expected to be certified polio free in 2002. 

Financial Requirements. The Polio Eradication Initiative requires about US$3 billion in donor aid in the 20-year period 1985-2005.  The four-year period, 2002 to 2005, requires donor aid of US$1 billion.  This money is needed for oral polio vaccine, house-to-house delivery, and for laboratory and surveillance programs.  As of April 2002, $725 million of the $1 billion has been pledged or projected by donor governments or private sector, leaving a funding gap of $275 million.  Every year’s delay in reaching the last child can increase the program costs by $100 to $150 million.  The World Health Organization has termed the funding gap as the number one obstacle to achieving a polio-free world by 2005.  To help till this gap, Rotary has launched the Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign, seeking $80 million in cash and pledges (up to three years) in the year 2002-2003. 

Rotary’s Leadership. As a result of the PolioPlus campaign of 1986-88, Rotary has already committed US$500 million to polio eradication.  In addition, it is leading an appeal to donor governments that has produced more than US$1 billion in grants to developed nations.  In April, 2000, Rotary teamed up with the United Nations Foundation to carry the appeal of polio eradication to corporations, foundations, and wealthy individuals, a program which has produced more than US$100 million in commitments.  Rotarians have committed millions of volunteer hours to the task of mobilizing nations and communities.  Last year, 10 million volunteers assisted health workers to administer to 575 million children in 94 countries an estimated 2 billion doses of OPV during 300 rounds of National Immunization Days and mop-up activities. 

Quotes of note. 

“Rotary International was the first service organization to undertake such a global fundraising and social mobilization campaign around a public health issue.” Carol Bellamy, Executive Director UNICEF. 

“You were first with the vision to deliver polio vaccine to every child—and you took action to make this happen.” Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General, WHO. 

“Our race to reach the last child is a race against time.  If we do not seize the chance now, the virus will regain its grip and the opportunity will elude us forever.” Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations. 

“The polio partnership is a shining example of what we can do together.  And something I hope can be repeated for other global health issues.” Bill Gates, Co-Founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

“Once polio is eradicated and we can stop immunizing children against this scourge, the world will save US$1.5 billion every year in immunization costs.  Investing in polio eradication now is just good business.” Ted Turner, Chairman/Founder United Nations Foundation. 

• For additional information contact Herbert A. Pigman, Director Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign

Email: pigmanh@rotaryintl.org Tel: 847-866-3400 Fax: 847-328-4101